After visiting Horto in Milan and Grybova Hata in the heart of the Carpathians, it seemed only right to talk about him, THE ultimate restaurant, which in recent years has completely revolutionized the concept of fine dining and clearly understands that the design of a place is not just an accessory to the menu but a fundamental part of it.
I’m talking – of course – about Alchemist, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Copenhagen led by chef Rasmus Munk.
Alchemist is much more than a restaurant; it’s where Munk brought his concept of holistic cuisine to life by creating a total theater: the experience is divided into five acts, just like a play in which you are the protagonist. In fact, to secure a spot, you don’t make a reservation – you buy a ticket. All of this was made possible thanks to the collaboration with Studio Duncalf, which succeeded in turning the chef’s idea into reality.
A Monumental Entrance
Let’s start from the beginning, with the choice of location. Alchemist was brought to life in a former industrial area of Copenhagen, now transformed into a cultural hub, located inside a former scenic warehouse of the Royal Danish Theatre.
To welcome guests, a monumental entrance was chosen: two large bronze doors hand-sculpted by Danish artist Marie Rubinke. This piece marks the transition from the outside world, from reality, to a space where time is suspended, like a dream.
A Total Sensory Environment
The heart of the Alchemist is the Dome, the central hall, covered by an 18-meter diameter dome that comes to life through immersive projections accompanying each individual dish.
The grilled cod served on edible plastic made from cod skin is enjoyed while watching jellyfish swim among plastic waste; or The Eye, Chef Munk’s most iconic dish, presented as a real eye filled with caviar, is accompanied by visuals inspired by George Orwell’s novel “1984”.
Each projection is curated by LBA Sound Production studio, led by composer Lars Bork Andersen, who collaborated with Munk to create a fully sensory environment by merging high-resolution images, immersive sound, and constantly moving visual scenography.
The team designed a 360° mapping system on the dome using 10 Epson projectors and ultra-high-definition visual content (9600×2000 px), divided into “universes” — evocative visual environments like ocean floors, starry skies, or surreal cities — and “transitions” — dramatic moments that pace the storytelling. All this is accompanied by a custom-developed surround soundtrack, ensuring that each dish is not just seen and tasted, but felt and deeply experienced.
LBA translated Munk’s holistic vision into a true immersive dramaturgy, where food, space, and sound become a single inseparable experience. A remarkable example of how technology is not just for amazement, but to convey ethical and cultural messages, elevating contemporary gastronomy to the level of total art.
Then You Go Up and Play
The journey ends at the top of the three-level wine cellar, overlooking the space below from a Balcony that recalls the classic and elegant lines of the initial Lounge.
The journey also includes two Installation Rooms where guests are invited to rediscover their more playful and childlike side. These are fully sensory rooms that change with the seasons to offer a different path each time: from ball-filled rooms to pink spaces or urban landscapes, everything seems possible at Alchemist — the key is to let yourself be amazed.
The Manifesto of a New Way of “Doing Cuisine”
The Alchemist is a project model in which cuisine is deeply connected to design, science, music, and art. It is the culmination of Rasmus Munk’s philosophy, where every expressive form integrates and influences the others, creating a multisensory experience that accompanies guests from the first to the fiftieth course — or rather, impression.
